Prep schools - reception 2014, are we too late?

[Poppyjen]

We are planning a move to the area in a few months with our two children ages 3 and 1. Our 3 year old is due to start reception in September 2014 and I was wondering if we have missed the boat in terms of getting him in to a good independent school in the Dulwich area. I have heard all sorts of horror stories that we ought to have put the children's names down the second they were born, but are we really too late?

We will miss out on trying to get a place in state primary school as we won't be moved in time.

Any advice or experiences gratefully received! Thank you!

[Pickle]

If you are planning to be in the area in the next few months I don't think you will be too late to apply for the state schools - I think it's January that applications are made.

As far as independent schools go, I don't think there's any truth in the thinking that you enrol them as soon as they are born. Places are offered after assessments I think? I'm sure someone with experience in this will confirm.

[Caroline_S]

Yes, Pickle is right, places offered after assessments, which you apply for according to the schools' own deadlines, which seem to be Autumn or Jan for the schools we've looked at in the area. So I think the horror story of signing them up at birth is a myth! Though if they have a nursery attached, priority goes to their nursery children so they may have only have a small number of places when it comes to new children entering reception. The schools' websites usually outline the entry process and timetable for applications.

Good luck with the move! East Dulwich is wonderful!

[Poppyjen]

Thank you both! That's a relief, we are busy registering with a few at the moment but we were worried we would get a lot of "welcome to the bottom of the waiting list" responses! Fingers crossed that won't be the case.

Unfortunately we will be well out of time for the state schools, we won't be moving for at least 6 months (pity - I can't wait to move!) but there are so many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to put into place before then (including persuading our wonderful nanny to move with us and do a nanny share once our 3year old is in full time school) and the small matter of finding somewhere to live!

Just out of interest does anyone know whether it would be possible to walk the children from East Dulwich to Rosemead or Oakfield? I am very keen to avoid the school-run if I can...

Thanks!

[pebbles]

DUCKS would be a definite no go as that really is as soon as you are pregnant as they take kids from (I think) 6 months)

Dulwich Prep (where my kids are) will have their assessments Dec-Jan (depending on your sons birthday) and although it is assessment based but I would get your sons name down soonish so that you're 'in the system'. There are 3 classes in Nursery and then it moves to 4 in Reception - my son's class had 3 "new boys" in reception so lets say that's 9 across the 3 original classes and then there's a new class of 20 so last year there were 29 Reception places (not sure how many applicants I'm afraid).

Herne Hill is another option that although it is first come first served for the early stages I'm pretty sure that 4+ is assessment based (however there are obviously a lot of children already at the school that will get automatically put through).

I don't know too much about Oakfield or Rosemead in terms of applications except that I'm pretty sure they're assessment based as well.

So we live in ED (Friern Road) and mine go to DP on Gallery Road and I don't walk - basically for my two it would just be too far at the beginning of a very long day or even worse at the end of the day. However like you I don't like doing the 'school-run' so what I try and do is drive to the Court Lane entrance of Dulwich Park and then scoot/cycle through the park, across the chapel and then up Gallery Road. It's a lovely walk and not too far for their legs :)

Good luck with the move and I hope everything goes well with the schools.